Reporter takes E-Verify program for test run

Jan. 14, 2012

Written by

News-Leader

WES JOHNSON

is a reporter for the News-Leader. He writes about local business issues. Reach him at wjohnson@ news-leader. com.

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Just how complicated is this E-Verify process?

I wanted to see firsthand what's involved, so with the help of a local business, I "applied" for a job with Carson-Mitchell Engineers.

Office Manager Cheryl Zielke took down my basic information -- full name, middle initial, date of birth and then asked for two key identifiers.

My driver's license and my Social Security card.

My driver's license had to be current; if it was expired, Zielke said she couldn't accept it. I would need something else to prove who I was.

Other acceptable documents include a valid passport, an ID card from any federal, state or local government -- as long as it has a photo -- a school ID card with photo, voter registration card or military ID.

If I had been a citizen of another country, there's a range of acceptable identity documents outlined by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

With my valid driver's license and Social Security number in hand, Zielke accessed the online E-Verify website and followed the prompts as she filled in the appropriate information about me.

She hit "enter" and I sat back to see if I would be cleared to work or if I might have some explaining to do.

The E-Verify system came back with an answer in about five seconds.

"Employment is authorized," Zielke said.

The entire process, from the time I handed in an I-9 form until I was confirmed to be eligible to work in this country, took less than four minutes.